Vision

Mission

Student Affairs actively contributes to the mission of the university by providing programs and services designed to enhance the intellectual, social, ethical, physical, cultural, and spiritual development of our students. Student Affairs seeks to enrich students' lives by creating an inclusive and welcoming environment that fosters an appreciation for life-long learning, individual responsibility, and human diversity. www.ecu.edu/studentaffairs/vmv/

Students enrolled in East Carolina University are expected to uphold, at all times, standards of academic integrity and personal behavior that will reflect credit upon themselves, their families, and East Carolina University. Students are also expected to behave with propriety, and to respect the rights and privileges of others. They are expected to abide by the laws of the city, state, and nation, and by all rules and regulations of East Carolina University. Failure to do so may result in sanctions or separation from the university.

Registration at the university implies the student’s acceptance of the published academic regulations and all other rules found in any official publication or announcement. University rules and regulations apply to all students. Conduct regulations, including the academic integrity policy, are described in the East Carolina University Student Handbook.

Student Handbook

The East Carolina University Student Handbook, At the Helm is available online at www.ecu.edu/dos. The handbook handbook is the student’s guide to locating campus resources and services. Specific information about Pirate traditions, student activities, academic programs, student housing, policies and procedures regarding conduct, and important safety information for students can be found in the handbook. Students are encouraged to use At the Helm in conjunction with the academic catalog.

East Carolina Creed

In the pursuit of educational excellence, responsible stewardship, and intellectual freedom, the community of scholars at East Carolina University is committed to learning at the highest level. Founded in the tradition of service and leadership, members of our academic society exemplify high standards of professional and personal conduct at all times.

As an East Carolinian:

I will carry out personal and academic integrity.

I will respect and appreciate the diversity of our people, ideas, and opinions.

I will be thoughtful and responsible in my words and actions.

I will engage in purposeful citizenship by serving as a positive role model.

Adherence to these moral principles is the obligation of every student on and off campus. In doing so, individual freedom to learn and a pledge to serve will be preserved.

Student Affairs

Dean of Students

The Dean of Students Office serves to advance the university’s mission by facilitating students’ knowledge, understanding, and utilization of university systems and resource, working collaboratively to enhance the enrichment of the overall student experience throughout the learning continuum. Work is accomplished through strategic alignment, both internally and in concert with other university departments. Our efforts affirm the value and contributions of each individual and we harbor democracy, civility, trust, and diversity as paramount to our work to effect positive change.

Dean of Students Office staff serve as a liaison between students, parents, faculty, staff, and administrators to help solve problems, assist with individual or group crisis management, and navigate various campus procedures. By connecting with other university departments, the office responds to student’s needs by identifying the appropriate resources available.

The Dean of Students Office provides various services, such as assistance with referrals to appropriate resources on campus; crisis intervention; discussion of options and solutions to problems; ECU Cares phone line and Web site for reporting behaviors of concern; explanation of university policies, procedures and regulation; parent/family services; peer mediation; resources for addressing student complaints and inquiries, including Title IX; thematic programming focused on principles in the ECU Creed; and university excused absences.

Student Affairs Assessment, Research and Retention

Student Affairs Assessment, Research and Retention (SAARR) champions a culture of evidence and improvement within the Division of Student Affairs in support of student learning, development, and success. SAARR provides leadership to increase the institution’s knowledge about students, the educational environment, and institutional effectiveness to continuously improve student programs and services, and does so through service in support of outcomes-based assessment, data-driven decision-making, strategic planning, student-focused research, and professional education (www.ecu.edu/studentaffairs/saassessment).

Off-Campus Student Services

Off-Campus Student Services provides students and parents the opportunity to find safe and affordable off-campus housing. We accomplish this by encouraging open communication and delivering educational programs and services in order to empower students to become good citizens, keeping them connected to the university. This office can help students and their parents find suitable off-campus housing through an online searchable database of available housing (www.ecu.edu/offcampus/).

Student Affairs Marketing and Communication

The Office of Student Affairs Marketing and Communication collaborates with Student Affairs units and personnel as well as other university constituents to help raise awareness and interest in student-centered programs and services, as well as increase attendance and participation. In addition, the office assists divisional units with market research, develops marketing frameworks, enhances social media presence and identifies opportunities to track and assess communication and marketing for program and/or event effectiveness. The services available include, but are not limited to graphic design, website development, videography, photography, marketing framework/planning, press releases and related training (www.ecu.edu/cs-studentaffairs/samarketing/).

Student Health Services

This comprehensive medical facility is conveniently located on campus just steps away from classrooms and residence halls and is available for the student’s health care needs while at ECU. Students with routine illness, injury or other non-urgent issues are seen by appointment while students requiring more immediate medical attention can be evaluated in Triage Care. An afterhours phone nurse service is available to answer questions and offer advice to student when the service is closed. Student Health also offers pharmacy, x-ray services, health and nutrition education, immunization services, laboratory and an allergy vaccine administration clinic. Visit the Student Health Web site for more information about services, hours of operation, insurance information and how to access care (www.ecu.edu/studenthealth/).

Disability Support Services

The Department for Disability Support Service (DSS) provides reasonable accommodations and ensures access to university programs in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students in need of accommodations must register with DSS. Registration can be done on line. Accommodations are determined on a case by case basis (www.ecu.edu/dss).

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities staff foster student growth by promoting students’ awareness and understanding of their rights and responsibilities as community members, addressing student conduct and creating developmental learning opportunities, and engaging students in ethical decision-making (www.ecu.edu/osrr/).

Student Transitions and First Year Programs

The Office of Student Transitions and First Year Programs collaborates with university constituents to create an environment that contributes to the success of all students; provides services that positively impact student progress and persistence; and serves as a resource repository for campus and external constituents to advance learning of student development theories and best practices. This office provides a coordinated, comprehensive approach to enhancing the transition of all students by achieving three core functions: enhancing inclusion and success for all students; facilitating student progress and persistence; and advancing learning. These goals are accomplished through the following functional areas: New Student Orientation, Transfer Student Orientation, Freshman Seminar (COAD 1000), Plunge Into Purple, Student Convocation, Transfer Student Services and First Year Research (www.ecu.edu/ostfyp/).

Student Government Association

One benefit of being a full time student at East Carolina University is membership in the Student Government Association (SGA). The Student Government Association (SGA) serves as the official representative governing body and voice for students at East Carolina University. Through the SGA, students can voice opinions and address various issues. Additionally, students have the opportunity to gain leadership experience and training by serving as officers within SGA (www.ecu.edu/sga/).

Greek Life

Many students seek something more than classes and casual friendships at college. Greek membership provides a lifetime of learning and involvement. Sixteen hundred ECU students are involved in fraternity/sorority life at East Carolina University within four different councils—the Panhellenic Conference (9 sororities), the Interfraternity Council (17 fraternities), the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (6 historical African-American fraternities and sororities), and the Multicultural Greek Council (5 culturally based fraternities and sororities).

Fraternity and sorority life at East Carolina University has held a proud tradition based on the four pillars of leadership – scholarship, service, and lifelong friendships – for more than fifty years (www.ecu.edu/greeklife/).

SGA Student Legal Services

Student Legal Services is a legal advisory service for students that is registered with the North Carolina State Bar as a pre-paid legal service plan. Some of the common issues addressed by Student Legal Services are leases, contracts, city and county code violations, traffic and alcohol violations, domestic violence, victim’s rights, internet safety and identity theft (www.ecu.edu/legalservices/).

Center for Counseling and Student Development

A student’s social and emotional development is important to the university community. Students experiencing significant levels of anxiety, depressed feelings, and/or who are stressed should consider seeing a counselor at the counseling center. This service is made available through student tuition and fees and thus provided at no additional cost to the student. Counseling services are strictly confidential in accordance with professional practice ethical codes and state and federal laws. The “Self Help” section of the Web site provides valuable tips on managing one's adjustment to college and dealing with issues such as: relationships, sex, alcohol/substance use and abuse, eating disorders, and identity. The counseling center also provides ongoing outreach services to classes, residence halls, and other campus gatherings to encourage greater awareness of issues surrounding mental and emotional health of college students. (www.ecu.edu/counselingcenter/).

Career Center

The Career Center supports students in achieving their career-related goals, whether those goals are to continue their education, secure employment, or some combination of the two. The Career Center accomplishes this by providing a variety of programs and services designed to help students explore career options, identify effective career-decision-making steps, gain experience in potential work environments, learn effective job-search strategies, plan for graduate and/or professional school, and make connections with employers.

To support students in the self-exploration process, The Career Center offers individual career coaching/counseling to help students identify connections between their academic major and potential career paths with the goal of determining next action steps in their unique process. The Career Center offers several programs that allow students to experience future work environments (internships) as they continue to clarify their career goals.

Students pursuing admission into graduate or professional schools often take advantage of the fall semester Graduate and Career Fair to explore graduate programs that align with their career goals. Additionally, students can take advantage of the health, law, and graduate school advising services (www.ecu.edu/careercenter).

Student Activities and Organizations

Attendance at events such as Pirate Palooza, Homecoming, Midnight Madness, Barefoot on the Mall, and Family Weekend are opportunities for students to connect with other students. There are three hundred of student organizations available on campus. The Student Organization Center is located in Mendenhall Student Center and is a resource for locating a group of interest to join (www.ecu.edu/studentorganizations/).

Campus Recreation and Wellness

Outstanding facilities, an extensive variety of programs, and a focus on customer services make Campus Recreation and Wellness a one-stop shop for the development of a healthy lifestyle.

The Student Recreation Center is the campus health club—convenient, accessible, and filled with activities to keep the mind, body, and spirit in prime condition. Special features include a climbing wall; an indoor pool and outdoor pool with a lounging area; a 10,300 square-foot fitness area with free weights, selectorized equipment and cardiovascular machines; a running track; three exercise studios, the Wellness Center, the Adventure Center, basketball, volleyball and racquetball courts. Outdoor adventure trips, group fitness classes, yoga, martial arts, and a variety of intramural and club sports are among the many opportunities students can find at Campus Recreation and Wellness. In addition, a 1,900 square foot fitness facility is available on the first floor of Jones Residence Hall. When recreational interests move outside, the department provides several exceptional venues for participation. The Blount Recreational Sports Complex includes 10 flag football and soccer fields and five softball fields in addition to restrooms and parking. The Blount complex is also adjacent to a Challenge Course and 50-foot Alpine Tower used for a variety of team building and leadership programs. The North Recreational Complex opened in fall 2009 with eight multi-sport fields, a six acre lake, and a field house. Phase 2 of the project opened in fall 2011 and includes jogging trails, a beach area with sand volleyball courts, a boathouse, horseshoe pits, outdoor fitness equipment, an Odyssey Challenge Course, and an 18-hole disc golf course.

The Intramural Sports program offers over 30 different team and individual/dual activities in several skill levels, while approximately 42 Club Sports are available for those seeking a more intensive experience in a particular sport. Physical Activity and Fitness features a number of ways to stay in shape including group fitness classes, personal/partner/group training, incentive programs, educational workshops, and instructional programs, such as several styles of yoga, dance, and sport-oriented classes to satisfy a particular interest. For those looking to explore the great outdoors, the Adventure Program offers a selection of trips, educational workshops, a 27 foot climbing wall, and equipment rental , while Leadership and Team Training serves over 125 groups annually through customized group initiative games, challenge course experiences, and other active team building activities. The department also offers programming in adapted recreation for people with disabilities, aquatics, special events, member services, safety services, volunteers, and youth and family. The Campus Wellness area works to support and encourage balanced and healthful lifestyles for the ECU community through a variety of physical as well as educational programs. Educational topics include general health; nutrition; sexuality; alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; and stress management. Modalities of programming consist of Wellness Center services (educational materials, healthy lifestyle coaching, smoking cessation counseling, body fat and body mass index assessments, group presentations, and information tables and events. Campus Wellness administers the Wellness Living Learning Community, teaches the peer health courses, and advises the Healthy PIRATES student organization (www.ecu.edu/crw/).

Student Involvement and Leadership

The Department of Student Involvement and Leadership (SIL) is committed to enhancing the educational experience of all students and to building a sense of campus community through a wide variety of programs and services for individuals and for student groups. Through a broad range of co-curricular, cultural, educational, recreational, and social programs, SIL supports the university in achieving its mission of being the cultural center for the region. The department is committed to complementing academic programs which enhance the educational experiences of students; facilities, which serve as laboratories where theoretical and experiential experiences are integrated; and the guidance of a professional staff members to aid students in further developing their intellectual capabilities, creative potential, and citizenship skills (www.ecu.edu/cs-studentaffairs/sil/).

Ledonia Wright Cultural Center

The Ledonia Wright Cultural Center provides comprehensive, culture-specific programming that serves students, faculty, staff, and the community. Special resources available include computer workstations, a reading room, tutoring in math, access to a permanent art collection, and a chance to volunteer with the cultural center’s programming efforts (www.ecu.edu/lwcc/).

Volunteer and Service-Learning Center

The Volunteer and Service-Learning Center provides service opportunity connections at more than 125 organizations in town. Opportunities are available for all interests and skills. Students who register with the Center on OneStop can submit their service hours to be documented online, learn about opportunities targeted to their interests, and receive verification letters of service activities (www.ecu.edu/vslc).

The Center for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement

The Center for Student Leadership and Engagement provides opportunities, support and experiences, in alignment with ECU’s Integrated Leadership Framework, for students to engage in the leadership process by developing competencies, building meaningful relationships, and enhancing personal growth. Programs and experiences are created for students at all levels of leadership, from emerging leader programs to capstone experiences (www.ecu.edu/studentleadership/).

Campus Living

Living on campus offers students easy access to everything ECU has to offer without monthly rent payments and utility bills. Students enjoy laundry facilities, basic cable and Internet, all included in the housing fee. On-campus students have convenient access to dining services, as well as more time to explore and enjoy the myriad of activities available on campus. Living on campus also means being close to classes and resources that support students in making the most of their academic experience (www.ecu.edu/campusliving/).

Campus Dining

When it comes to eating on campus, there are many convenient choices. Dining halls are located near the residential areas of campus and serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Monday through Friday, and brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. In addition, food courts, and convenience stores are located across campus. There are several different meal plans available, including four plans exclusively for commuter students. Each meal plan includes a Pirate Bucks account—a declining-balance account that is used like cash to supplement meals (www.ecu.edu/dining).

Student Media

Staying up-to-date on campus news, events, and activities, as well as local, regional, national, and international, happenings is made possible with The East Carolinian, the student newspaper, and WZMB 91.3 FM, the student radio station. These mainstays of campus information are complemented by Rebel, an award winning literary and visual arts magazine, as well as Expressions, a multicultural student publication and Buccaneer, the student yearbook (www.ecu.edu/studentmedia/).

ECU Transit

ECU Transit offers a wide variety of travel options on a comprehensive system which provides more than 2.5 million rides each year with service both on and off campus. Throughout the academic year and both summer sessions, buses operate on several fixed routes which circulate around main campus and connect to outlying areas, such as the health sciences campus and commuter park-and-ride lots. Service is also provided to off-campus housing and several shopping, and dining and entertainment areas around Greenville. Additionally, a point-to-point, on-demand van service called SafeRide works in conjunction with the bus system to help ensure safe connections to evening routes, as well safe travel around campus and adjacent areas at night after most regular daytime service has ended. Schedules, maps and other information on these services can be found online at www.ecu.edu/transit.